Don't Own.

This was actually the first chapter I wrote of this story and I'm so happy I finally get to post it!

Please R&R

Hope you like it!

…

Penelope gasped, staring down at the ring "Oh my god," she whispered "Eric I..."

Eric took her hand in his "Penelope I love you, but I want you to be happy. If you're not going to be happy, if you're going to have regrets, I don't want that."

Penelope stared at him wide eyed; she felt tears threatening to fall.

"I want you to be happy," Eric reiterated "and if marrying me isn't going to make you happy than I'll have to live with that."

"Oh Eric," Penelope mumbled, a single tear rolling down her cheek and splashing onto her hand in his "what did I do to deserve you?"

Eric stared into her eyes, searching for her answer.

"I'm sorry Eric..." she began.

He sighed in resignation and pulled away.

"I'm so sorry..." Penelope cried, tears rolling freely down her face now.

"No," he said "no don't be sorry, we can't help who we love."

He picked up the jewelry box and placed it back into his pocket. He then stood and began cleaning up the plates; their ice cream sat melting in their bowls.

Penelope stood up too. She put her hand over his arm stopping his movements.

Then made him look at her "I really did like you Eric and I'm so glad I met you. You made me confident in myself and gave me things I never thought I would have in a relationship. I'm so sorry things had to end this way."

Eric took Penelope's hand brought it to his mouth and gave it a soft kiss "I know..." he said pulling away "now go, I know you have some place you want to be."

Penelope stalled for a moment; she leaned up and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. "You are going to make some woman so happy one day."

She then turned on her heel, grabbed her purse and headed out the front door.

Since Eric had picked her up earlier she didn't have her car, instead she made her way to the main street and she hailed a cab.

As they drove it began to rain. Penelope watched the rain drops roll down her window.

She couldn't believe how much her life had changed in less than 24 hours.

She knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't give Aaron and her a shot. But the way he had told her how he felt and then so easily dismissed it, had her heart aching.

She didn't really know how she was feeling. As good as it had felt to hear Aaron say that he loved her, she was still mad at him.

When they were three blocks away from Aaron's apartment, the taxi driver slowed down as they hit traffic.

The driver looked at her through the rear view mirror "Construction" he explained.

It was pouring rain now but Penelope couldn't sit idle as they slowly inched ahead.

She dug through her purse "Here," she said to the driver handing him a few bills, it was more than enough to pay for the ride "thanks."

She leapt out of the cab, the door slamming behind her.

The rain soaked her from head to toe in a matter of minutes as she hurried down the street, leaving her shivering.

The sound of her heels clicking on the pavement was drowned out by the storm.

When Penelope reached the apartment she hurried up the steps and knocked on the door.

She stood out there shivering, her arms tucked around herself to keep warm. She regretted wearing a sleeveless dress.

Finally she heard sounds of life on the other side of the door. There was a hesitation before she heard the lock turning.

The door opened to reveal Aaron standing in his pajamas which consisted of a white t-shirt and red plaid flannel bottoms.

"Penelope?" he questioned taking in her appearance. Her hair was plastered to her face and her dress clung to her.

Penelope pushed past him and walked inside.

She looked around, wondering if Jack was around.

"Sleepover at Rebel's" he said like he was reading her thoughts once he'd gotten over his surprise.

She turned to him "You can't..." her voice trembled and tears came to the surface once more.

She started again "You can't just tell me that you're in love with me," her tears were flowing freely now "and then tell me to go and be happy with someone else. Dismissing it and me like it's nothing."

Penelope was shaking now as she gestured between them in anger.

Her voice became quiet "That's not fair Aaron...you didn't even give me a chance to respond. You dropped that bomb on me and then just left."

Aaron felt horrible seeing how hurt she was.

"But worst of all, you made the decision by yourself, you didn't even have the decency to ask me how I felt. You dismissed me Aaron!"

Penelope's tears choked her up and Aaron reached for her.

She let him pull her into his embrace.

"I'm sorry," he whispered regretfully while rubbing soothing circles up and down her back.

She buried her face in his chest until her tears subsided.

Then she looked up at him, he truly did look sorry.

"I just wish you'd given me a chance to tell you how I felt." Penelope said.

Aaron's fingers ran through her blonde locks unthinkingly "I'm sorry I didn't."

Penelope nodded "Well if you had given me that chance you might have heard me say that I care for you too..."

Aaron stopped her "What about Eric?"

Penelope sighed "Eric asked me to marry him tonight."

Aaron stiffened and took a step back "That's great..." he said emotionlessly "I'm happy for you."

Penelope laughed as she wiped at her tear stained face "But I told him no, that I couldn't because my boss told me he loved me and turned my world upside down."

"What?" Aaron asked torn.

Penelope shook her head "You call yourself a profiler. Aaron I've had a crush on you for the last eight years but pushed it away as wishful thinking. How could my amazingly kind, helpful and gorgeous boss ever like me back?"

Aaron was stunned.

"At first I tried not to think of you that way. You had Haley and my thoughts and feelings were inappropriate. But then in the last few years we got closer and those thoughts and feelings came rushing back full force. But as I said before I never thought it could happen and did my best to hide them."

Penelope stepped into Aaron's arms again. "You're not just an old man to me Aaron, not even close. I know you could give me just as much as anybody else could, probably more. And besides I already would have everything I want. You and my little Jackers, whom I could never have given up, my friends around me and hopefully a long and happy life. The happy is a given if I'm with you."

Aaron stared at her mesmerized.

"You really mean all of that?" he asked.

"Of course I do," Penelope said "but no more making decisions without me."

He pulled her closer "I promise" he whispered just before leaning in to capture her lips.

She had thought the last kiss in the elevator was good but this one was amazing, it made her toes curl. With it she could feel all of his desire and love for her. Aaron explored her mouth with every fiber of his being. His hands ran through her hair and his tongue darted into her mouth, making her moan in pleasure.

It seemed like and eternity before he pulled away, leaving both of them breathless.

"Let's go get you warmed up," he said taking her hand and leading her down the hall.

…

A/N: We're heading into our final chapters. I'm leaving for China in 13 days and I'm not sure if I'll be able to access fanfiction since I know some websites are blocked there, so I want to get this story done before then.